Ski carrying means



April 7, 1970 RQOSMOND 3,504,921

SKI CARRYING MEANS Filed April 8, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

LAWRENCE R. OSMOND April 7, 1970 L. R. OSMOND SKI CARRYING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 8, 1968 INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 7, 1970 US. Cl. 280-8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A ski carrying apparatus is provided with a body member having a handle means connected at one end of the body member and skid means pivotally connected to the other end of the body member. A plurality of fastening means are mounted on the upper surface of the body member for securing skis, ski poles, or the like to the body member for transportation and storage of the same. The skid means is provided with an opening therein and a wheel means is rotatably connected to the body member so that the wheel means communicates with the opening in the skid means and extends below the lower surface of the skid means thus allowing the ski carrying apparatus to be moved over a relatively soft surface and/ or a relatively hard surface. The apparatus is further provided with means to secure the apparatus to a car top. Further, means are provided which allow the apparatus to be maintained in standing position so that when the apparatus is in use, 'but the skis are not being used, the skis are supported in a standing position thus maintaining the skis off the surface of the ground.

This invention relates to a ski carrying apparatus. In one aspect it relates to a ski carrying apparatus which can readily be moved over relatively soft surfaces, such as snow, sand, and the like or over relatively hard surfaces and up steps and the like without the need for modification or adjustment of the apparatus. In another aspect it relates to a ski carrying means which can be employed as a stand to support and store the skis at the top of a hill or on a beach and thus off the surface of the ground when the skis are not in use. In another aspect it relates to a ski carrying apparatus which can be readily mounted on a car top for travel to a ski resort, beach, and the like. In another aspect it relates to a ski carrying apparatus which is relatively inexpensive, simple in construction and durable and which can be employed to carry a number of pairs of skis from one location to another by one person.

With the increasing popularity of skiing, both snow skiing and water skiing, a need has arisen for a ski carrying apparatus which can be pulled by a person over a relatively soft surface like snow or sand Without the ski carrying apparatus sinking and thus requiring great force to pull the same. Further, because of the frequent occurrence of relatively hard surface and steps and the like encountered at winter ski resorts and beaches the apparatus needs a wheel means to prevent damage to the skid means when pulling the apparatus over the hard surfaces. However, it is undesirable to change from the skid means to the wheel means and visa-versa when different types of surfaces are encountered. Further, an apparatus is needed which will carry the skis of a family but yet, which is light enough and portable so that one person can move it. Likewise, the ski carrying apparatus should be capable of being mounted on a car top for transporting the apparatus and the skis from the persons home to the beach or winter resort. Further, the skis must be securely affixed to the ski carrying apparatus to prevent the skis from falling from the apparatus and thus becoming broken or damaged. Although various types of drags or carrying apparatus are known none of the drags of the prior art are capable of fulfilling the above-mentioned requirements for the ski carrying apparatus. Further, it is desirable that the ski carrying apparatus be constructed so that when it is not being pulled it can be supported in a standing position thus maintaining the skis off the surface of the snow or sand.

According to the present invention a novel ski carrying apparatus is provided which is capable of carrying a number of pairs of skis and yet is adaptable to be dragged by one person up a hill covered with snow or over sand to the beach without exhausting and tiring the person pulling the apparatus.

Further according to the present invention a ski carrying apparatus is provided having a body member and a plurality of fastening means mounted on an upper surface of the body member for securing skis, ski poles, and the like to the body member for transportation and storage of the same. A handle means is connected to one end portion of the body member and a skid means is pivotally connected to the other end portion of the body member. The skid means is provided with an opening therein and a wheel means is rotatably connected to the body member and positioned so that the wheel means communicates with the opening in the skid means and the lower surface of the wheel means extends below the lower surface of the skid means, thus allowing the ski carrying apparatus to be moved over a relatively hard surface by employing the Wheel means and yet, when the apparatus is moved over the relatively soft surface the skid means permits the apparatus to ride over the surface thereof.

Further, according to the invention a substantially U- shaped handle member is pivotally connected at its end portions to one end portion of the body member and the handle member is adapted to have its extended end portion rotated downwardly from the body member until the extended end portions of the handle member is adjacent the ground, thus allowing the handle member to maintain the body member in a stabilized standing position and supporting and storing the skis, ski poles, and the like ofi? the surface of the ground.

Further according to the invention a plurality of extension arm members are adapted to be secured to the body member so that the overall width of the body member is substantially increased. The extension arm members are likewise provided with a plurality of fastening means mounted on the upper surface thereof and the fastening means are constructed so as to secure skis, ski poles, and the like on the extension arm thus allowing the single unit to readily carry the skis for an entire family, such as a family of four.

Further according to the invention a mounting means is secured to the lower surface portion of the body member of the ski carrying apparatus so that the ski carrying apparatus can be mounted on the top of a car and secured thereto for movement of the apparatus, the skis, ski poles, and the like from the home to a resort area and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a ski carrying apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ski carrying apparatus which can be readily moved over hard surfaces and soft surfaces without the need of modification of the apparatus due to the type of surface over which the apparatus is being moved.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can readily be mounted on a car top for transportation of the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a ski carrying apparatus which can be maintained in a standing position when the same is not being moved so that the skis, ski poles, and the like are maintained in a position off the surface of the ground.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ski carrying apparatus which can be placed in a standing position on top of a hill or on a beach and can readily be identified by the owner at a distance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ski carrying apparatus which is relatively inexpensive, simple in construction, and durable.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the disclosure.

Drawings accompany and are a part of this disclosure. These drawings depict preferred specific embodiments of the ski carrying apparatus of the invention, and it is to be understood that these drawings are not to unduly limit the scope of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the ski carrying apparatus of the present invention having skis mounted thereon and showing the handle member being rotated through an arc to a position so as to maintain the body member of the ski carrying apparatus in a standing position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a second embodiment of the ski carrying apparatus showing a leg member pivotally mounted on the body member of the ski apparatus for maintaining the ski apparatus in a standing position;

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the ski carrying apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the ski carrying apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the relative movement of the skid means for movement over the surface and the like;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the skid means and wheel means of the ski carrying apparatus of the present invention cooperating so as to allow the ski carrying apparatus to be moved over relatively soft surfaces and/or relatively hard surfaces without modification of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the ski carrying apparatus of the present invention mounted on a car top;

FIG. 7 is a perspective fragmentary view of the fastening means of the ski carrying apparatus of the present invention which are employed to maintain the skis upon the ski carrying apparatus.

In the following is a discussion and description of the invention made with reference to the drawings whereon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. The discussion and description is of preferred specific embodiments of the new ski carrying apparatus of the present invention, and it is to be understood that the discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings a ski carrying apparatus, generally indicated by numeral 11, is shown having a body member 12 adapted to carry and support skis 14 thereon and having a handle means 31 pivotally mounted on one end of body member 12 and a skid means 32 and a wheel means 38 pivotally mounted on the other end of body member 12. A plurality of fastening means 16 are secured to body member 12 thus securing skis 14 to body member 12. Body member 12 is provided with elongated side members 17 and 18 arranged in parallel spaced relationship with each other at a de sirable distance for the appropriate width of the body. Side members 17 and 18 of body member 12 can be formed of any desirable material, such as tubular steel, angle iron, and the like. However, desirable results have been obtained wherein side members 17 and 18 are formed of a tubular lightweight material such as tubular aluminum or tubular steel. A pair of cross brace members 19 and 21 are secured to side members 17 and 18 by any suitable means, such as clamp means 22 so as to secure cross brace members 19 and 21 securely to side members 17 and 18. Cross brace members 19 and 21 are maintained in a parallel spaced relationship with each other and are positioned so as to be substantially perpendicular to side members 17 and 18. Cross brace members 19 and 21 can be positioned either under or over side members 17 and 18 as desired. However, desirable results have been obtained where cross brace members 19 and 21 are positioned so as to be adjacent the upper surface of side members 17 and 18.

A plurality of fastening means 16 are mounted on the upper surface of cross brace members 19 and 21 are positioned so as to be substantially aligned both on cross brace members 19 and 21 and with respect to the length of body member 12. Fastening means 16 each are provided with a hook member 23 having one end secured to one of the cross brace members, such as cross brace member 19' so that the hook portion 24 of hook member 23 projects upwardly from cross brace member 19 (see FIGS. 4 and 7). Resilient member 26 is secured at one end to the lower portion of hook member 23 and adjacent cross brace member 19. Resilient member 26 is then secured upon hook member 23 by any suitable means such as lock nut 27. Resilient member 26 is provided with a plurality of apertures 28 in its other end so that when skis 14 are positioned on cross brace members 19 and 21 and adjacent hook members 23 resilient member 26 can be passed beneath skis 14 and then over skis 14 and hooked with hook portion 24 of hook member 23 thus securing the skis to hook member 23 and thus to cross brace members 19 and 21 and thus to body member 12 of ski carrying apparatus 11.

Skis 14 are positioned on cross brace members 19 and 21 so as to stand on their side portion and positioned so that their bottom surfaces are adjacent each other. Desirable results have been obtained wherein the hook members 23 are positioned at intervals of five to seven inches apart along cross brace members 19 and 21. Thus, it is readily apparent that by securing the fastening means 16 of the present invention along cross brace members 19 and 21 of body member 12 a number of skis can be positioned upon body member 12 thus allowing one person to readily move and transport the skis from one location to another. Likewise, fastening means 16 can be employed to maintain other accessories, such as ski poles 29, upon body member 12 of ski carrying apparatus 11 as shown in FIG. 3 so that the complete skiing equipment can be maintained in a compact, readily movable apparatus.

A handle means 31 is connected to one end portion of body member 12. Handle means 31 is preferably a substantially U-shaped handle member pivotally connected at its end portion at a point intermediate cross brace member 21 and the end portions of side members 17 and 18 of body member 12 as shown in FIG. 3 by any suitable means such as pin element 35. Handle member 31 is adapted to be rotated downwardly from body member 12 until the extended end portion of handle member 31 is adjacent the ground thus allowing handle member 31 to maintain body member 12 in a stabilized standing position as is illustrated by FIG. 1. When handle member 31 is in the downward extended position, represented by the dotted line, it is readily apparent that ski carrying apparatus 11 is maintained at an angle of substantially 45 degrees thus holding and maintaining skis off the surface of the ground when skis 14 are not being used.

Referring now to FIG. 5 ski means 32 is pivotally connected to the other end portion of body member 12. Skid means 32 preferably comprises a pair of ski members 33 and 34 having openings 36 and 37, respectively, positioned therein. Ski members 33 and 34 are pivotally connected on the lower end portion of elongated side members 17 and 18, respectively, of body member 12. By pivotally connecting ski members 33 and 34 to the lower end portions of elongated side members 17 and 18 ski members 33 and 34 are allowed to move in an up and down manner to compensate for unevenness in the surface of the ground as shown in FIG. 4 and thus prevent damage to the ski members.

Wheel means 38 is likewise pivotally connected to the same end portion of body member 12 as is skid means 32. Wheel means 38 preferably comprises a pair of wheel members 39 and 41 rotatably connected to the lower end portions of elongated side members 17 and 18, respectively, of body member 12. Wheel members 39 and 41 communicate with openings 36 and 37 of ski members 33 and 34 so that the lower surface of wheel members 39 and 41 extends below the lower surface of ski members 33 and 34. Since ski member 33 and wheel member 39 are substantially identical to and a mirror image of ski member 34 and wheel member 41 only ski member 33 and wheel member 39 will be discussed in detail for the sake of simplicity.

A pair of upright support members 42 and 43 are secured at one of their end portions to the upper surface of ski member 33 in a parallel spaced relationship with each other and are positioned so that opening 36 is positioned therebetween. Aligned openings are provided in the upwardly extending portions of upright support members 42 and 43 and are adapted to receive pin element 44.

Wheel member 39 is mounted upon pin element 44 which functions as the axle for wheel member 39. Pin element 44 also communicates and extends through an opening in the lower end portion of elongated side member 17 of body member 12 and is secured thereto by any suitable means, such as bolt member 46. Thus, ski member 33 is pivotally secured to body member 12 and wheel member 39 is rotatably secured to body member '12. As previously mentioned ski member 34 and wheel member 41 are likewise secured to the lower end portion of elongated member 18 of body member 12. The use of the two ski members 33 and 34 and the two wheel members 39 and 41 are preferred in order to provide greater stability to apparatus 11.

As is readily apparent from the drawings the lower surface of wheel members 39 and 41 extend below the lower surface of ski members 33 and 34. This feature is important in that ski members 33 and 34 and wheel members 39 and 41 are constructed and adapted so that upon moving the ski carrying apparatus 11 over a relatively hard surface wheel members 39 and 41 are caused to rotate thus facilitating the movement of apparatus 11. However, when apparatus 11 is moved over a relatively soft surface, such as soft snow or sand, ski members 33 and 34 permit apparatus 11 to ride over the surface thereof and prevent bogging down of the apparatus.

Ski carrying apparatus 11 is also provided with a substantially L-shaped support member 47 secured to the upper surface of body member 12 by any suitable means such as welding, bolting, and the like. L-shaped support member 47 is positioned near the lower extending end portion of body member 12. Substantially L-shaped member 47 serves as a shelf member and is constructed so as to support one end portion of the skis thus further stabilizing the skis on body member 12 of apparatus 11 as the ski carrying apparatus is being towed along behind a person. L-shaped support member 47 prevents the slippage of the skis down to the ground surface and prevents the skis from contacting the wheel members 39 and 41.

Referring now to FIG. 3 body member 12 of ski carrying apparatus 11 is also provided with a plurality of extension arm members 48, 49, 51, and 52 adapted to be secured to cross brace members 19 and 21 of body member 12. Extension arm members 48, 49, 51, and 52 are each provided with a plurality of fastening means 16, identical to those described above, mounted on the upper surface thereof and the fastening means are constructed so as to secure the skis, ski poles, and the like of the extension arm members 48, 49, 51, and 52 and thus body member 12. As is readily apparent by employing extension members 48, 49, 51, and 52 the overall width of body member 12 and thus ski carrying apparatus 11 can be enlarged thus allowing one to carry numerous skis, such as the skis for an entire family of four. Extension arms 48, 49, 51, and 52 can be secured to the end portions of cross brace members 19 and 21 by any suitable means, such as friction fitting, bolting, clamping, and the like. However, desirable results have been obtained wherein the end portion of extension arm members 48, 49, 51, and 52 are tapered so as to be capable of being inserted within cross members 19 and 21 which are preferably formed of a tubular material such as tubular steel or tubular aluminum. Further, if desired, aligned openings can be positioned within the end portions of cross brace members 19 and 21 and extension arm members 48, 49, 51 and 52 so that the openings therein can be aligned and a pin inserted therein in order to secure and stabilize extension arm members 48, 49, 51, and 52 within cross brace members 19 and 21.

A plurality of hook means 50, are secured to the upwardly extending portion of body member 12, such as the lower portion of cross brace member 21 by any suit able means such as welding, bolting and the like. Hook means 50 can be any suitable type of hook member which can be utilized to hang sweaters, coats, and the like on when not in use. Further, a name plate having the owners name thereon can be hung from hook means 50 so that the owner of the ski carrying apparatus and his family can readily identify their equipment, even at a distance.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, and 6 body member 12 of ski carrying apparatus 11 is further provided with a mounting means 53, such as suction cup members 54 secured to the lower surface portion of body member 12. The mounting means, such as suction cup members 54 are adapted to be mountable on the top of a car and has connecting means such as strap members 56 having a clamp member 57 secured to its end portion for connection around the gutter member of the car roof so that the same can be readily secured thereto. A tarp or cover 58, shown partially in FIG. 6, can likewise be placed upon ski carrying apparatus 11 so as to protect the same from the weather as the ski and carrying apparatus is being transported on the roof of a car from one location to another. Any suitable type of mounting means can be employed and such mounting means are generally well known in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 2 ski carrying apparatus 11 is further provided with a leg member 59 pivotally mounted on the lower surface of body member 12. Leg member 59 is positioned so as to be parallel to body member 12 and is of suflicient length to maintain body member 12 of ski carrying apparatus 11 at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. The lower extending end portion of leg member 59 is provided with a wheel member 61 rotatably connectedthereto by any suitable means such as pin element 62 for faciliating the movement of the ski carrying appara tus 11 from one location to another. When desirable a third ski member such. as those ski members 33 and 34 positioned at the downwardly extending end portion of body member 12 could be secured to and positioned on leg member 59 so that leg member 59 and wheel member 61 connected thereto would be substantially identical to ski members 33 and 34 and wheel members 39 and 41. As is readily apparent, l'eg member 59 is pivotally connected to body member 12 so that the same can be positioned in a folded position for transportation and storage of the same or when the ski carrying apparatus 11 is mounted on a top of a car.

The foregoing discussion and description has been made in connection with preferred specific embodiments of the ski carrying apparatus of the invention. However, it is to be understood that the discussion and description is only intended to illustrate and teach those skilled in the art how to practice the invention, which is defined in the claims set forth hereinafter.

I claim:

1. A ski carrying apparatus comprising:

(a) a body member;

(b) fastening means mounted on said body member, said fastening means being constructed and adapted so as to secure skis, ski poles, or the like, on said body member for transportation and storage of same;

(c) handle means connected to one end portion of said body member; 7

(d) skid means freely pivotally connected to the other end portion of said body member, said skid means including a pair of runners each having an opening therein; and

(e) wheel means rotatably connected to said body member and positioned so that said wheel means communicates with said opening in said runners and the lower surface of said wheel means always extends below the lower surface of said skid means, said runners and said wheel means being constructed and adapted so that upon moving said ski carrying apparatus over a relatively hard surface said wheel means only is supported thereon and said runners freely pivot in accordance with the back up force exerted by said surface and caused to rotate thus facilitating the movement of said apparatus and yet, when said apparatus is moved over a relatively soft surface said runners support said ski apparatus on said soft surface and permits said apparatus to ride over the surface thereof.

2. The ski carrying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said runners resembling the forward portion of skis, a pair of upright support members secured in one of their end portions to each of said runners, said upright support members each having an aligned opening in their upwardly extending portions, said upright support members being maintained in a parallel spaced relationshi with each other and having the opening in said runners positioned therebetween; and said wheel means comprises a pair of wheel members, each of said wheel members having an axle member positioned within the aligned openings in said upright support members of each of said runners, one end of said axle member being secured to the lower portion of said body member; and the lower portion of said wheel members extending through the opening in said runners and below the lower surface of said runner.

3. The ski carrying means according to claim 1 wherein said fastening means comprises a plurality of hook members mounted on said body member so as to be aligned with each other, and a plurality of resilient members, each of said resilient members being secured to one end of the lower portion of one of said hook members and the other end of said resilient members having a plurality of apertures therein, said resilient members mountable around the lower surface of the ski and then secured to said hook member by passing the upwardly extended end portion of book member through one of said apertures in said resilient member.

4. The ski carrying apparatus according to claim 1 Which includes a leg member pivotally mounted on the lower surface of said body member so that when said leg member is in a lowered position it is substantially perpendicular to said body member thus maintaining said apparatus at an angle of approximately degrees in and a wheel member rotatably secured to the downwardly extending end portion of said leg member.

5. The ski carrying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said handle means comprises a substantially U-shaped handle member pivotally connected in its end portions to one end of said body member, said handle member having its extended end portions rotatable downwardly from said body member until said extended end portion of said handle member is adjacent the ground thus allowing said handle member to maintain said body member in a stabilized standing position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,016,381 2/1912 Watson 28034 1,225,444 5/1917 Laclair 2808 1,486,655 3/1924 Gourley 28063 2,438,078 3/1948 Sutphen 28036 2,480,597 8/1949 Nelson 280-36 2,782,973 2/1957 Lang 22442.l

FOREIGN PATENTS 308,215 9/ 1955 Switzerland.

LEO FRIAGLIA, Primary Examiner R. SONG, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 224--42.1 

